Pessimism, realism and confusion: Ecclesiastes shines a light on Brexit
Theresa May has said that a vote for her Withdrawal Agreement (aka 'deal') would be an act of patriotism. Writing in the Telegraph she exhorts all MPs, whether they voted…
EU
Bemused by Brexit? Come to church for tea and prayer – unless your vicar is a Remainer
At this moment of national crisis and international humiliation (which it is), the Church of England is encouraging people to come to church to be 'Together' for a cup of tea and prayer (not necessarily in that order). This is…
Project apocalypse: Welby calls the nation to prayer over Brexit
In his 'State of the Nation' address to the General Synod of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury is calling the nation to prayer because "social divisions feel…
Darkness and devils: the inescapable framework of Brexit betrayal
"I've been wondering what that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted #Brexit," tweeted Donald Tusk last week, as he made his State of the UK address…
Brexit and the ‘moral failure’ of ‘no deal’
In his speech to the House of Lords last week on Brexit, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke eloquently about the moral responsibility that comes with parliamentary sovereignty, and of the…
Brexit backstop and beef: if the EU wasn’t faithful over BSE, how can we trust them with our liberty?
'He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much' (Lk 16:10). If…
Happy Brexit Year: control the language, control the argument
"An ennui hangs over British politics and the prime minister is depending on it", wrote Matthew Parris in the Times a few days ago. "Like a thin, wearisome fog it…
Brexit impasse: democracy can be messy – but the alternative is terrifying
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee' (1Sam 8:7). It might not end well, but never let…
Rev’d Jonathan Aitken calls the nation to pray for Parliament
From The Times' 'Credo' column yesterday, by the Rev'd Jonathan Aitken, reproduced here with permission: After a seismic week of political and constitutional upheavals at Westminster, might this be a…
While bishops bicker over Brexit, there is one who shows a better way
Should there be a second referendum (aka a 'People's Vote') on Brexit, the Bishop of Oxford was asked. "My own view is that it would make things worse and it…
Lambeth Palace convenes Brexit colloquium – and crams it with Remainers (including one MP..)
This Friday there is to be a colloquium at Lambeth Palace entitled: 'After Brexit: European Unity and the Unity of the European Churches'. In the current political morass of 'Hard'…
Amidst all the buffoonery, Trump is right to reject the Palestinian definition of ‘refugee’
I never expected much good to originate from the election of the Buffoon. Sure, the fact that Hillary Clinton will from time unto eternity be remembered as 'she who enabled…
Welby praises Tracey Crouch’s resignation: was Phillip Lee not “principled and courageous” enough?
The departure of Tracey Crouch as Minister for Sport is an undoubted loss to the Government. She may not be a household name, but she was popular on both sides…
The EU is an anti-European force: it must become a ‘community of spirit’
The Red Cell is new research project set up to "inform, challenge and trigger" in order to deliver and manage Brexit. "It's a small unit, a break out team. its…
British voters prefer EU to non-EU migrants – because they’re mostly white and Christian?
"This point almost never gets the attention it deserves", tweeted Red Tory guru Phillip Blond, when a 2017 LSE poll on preferential immigration was brought to his attention. "Absolutely right…
Lord Adonis incites hate against right-wing journalists
There is no linguistic or visual nuance; no apprehension that people perceive things differently; no appreciation of the many-sidedness of truthfulness or the variable authority of the final word. For…
The People’s Vote strategy is to goad Brexiteers with being frit
"The right hon. Gentleman is afraid of an election, is he?" goaded Margaret Thatcher. "Afraid? Frightened? Frit?" she persisted, with perfectly alliterative thrashings of her serrated tongue. "Could not take…
Chequers Plan: a dog’s Brexit, or a dog’s dinner of pragmatic politics and parliamentary sovereignty?
Whatever you think of Theresa May's Chequers Plan, it did at least unite the Cabinet for 48 hours. On the plus side, it was at least a plan. It may…
Deal or no deal? EU theology and Brexit ideology
"The EU's four freedoms are indivisible," tweeted Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder (Mission: 'Fighting Human #Trafficking. Protecting the Environment and stopping #Brexit'). So the free movement of goods, services, capital…
Gerald Coates says Justin Welby denied saying that the EU was “the greatest dream realised for human beings since the fall of the Western Roman Empire”
Gerald Coates attended a Lambeth Palace garden party, and has published an account on his Facebook page: Now this is curious, not to say confusing. Gerald Coates is one of…